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61ST Congress, ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, j Document 

3d Session. \ 1 No. 1232. 



ALABMIA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 



LE T TEK 

FROM 

THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, 

SUBMITTING 

A REPORT ON THE ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 



January 5, 1911.— Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs and ordered to be 

printed. 



Department of the Interior, 

Washington, December :?3, 1910. 

Sir: In accordance Avith the provision of the act of Congress of 
April 4, 1910 (36 Stat.L., 269, 274), which reads, " * * * and the 
Secretary of the Interior is hereb}^ authorized and directed to investi- 
gate the conditions of the Alabama Indians in Texas and to submit 
his report thereon to Congress at the next session," I have the honor 
to submit the following report: 

On October 15, 1910, William Loker was appointed commissioner 
to the Alabama Indians of Texas and instructed October 26 by the 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs to proceed to Livingston, the county 
seat of Polk County in that State, and to such other places as might 
be necessary to investigate fully the condition and needs of the 
Indians mentioned. 

Mr. Loker was advised that these Indians were reported in the 
Federal census of 1890 as being located on Big Sandy Creek, Polk 
County, upon a tract of 1,280 acres given them by the State of Texas; 
that they were said also to be civilized and self-supportmg ; to have 
a chief and suborduiate chiefs; to mamtain to a great degree their 
Indian habits m dress and manners; and to cultivate lands like their 
white neighbors, for whom they worked on occasion. For his guid- 
ance the essential points to be reported upon were given as : 

1. The population, including the number of children of school age. 

2. The present condition of the Indians as regards subsistence and self-support. 



Z ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 

:i. Their condition as to clothing and their absolute needs for the winter. 

4. What schools, if any, are available, and what is the disposition of the Indians 
toward sending their children to such schools. 

5. The actual condition of the lands occupied by them, and whether they are 
exercising reasonable diligence in their farming operations; how they compare with 
their white neighbors in this respect; and what their needs are as regards additional 
lands for homes and farms. 

6. The views of the leading Indians as to their needs, etc. 

Mr. Loker's report of December 6, 1910, shows that these Indians, 
numbering 192 individuals, inchiding men, women, and children, 
are located 17 miles east of Livingston upon a tract of 1,280 acres 
of land which the State of Texas, about 1850, deeded to them con- 
ditionally — free of taxes, but with restriction on alienation. 

The report of this official shows also that in two decades these 
Indians have made marketl progress m civilization, and are now on 
about the same plane in this respect as are their white neighbors ; 
that their old tribal customs have been abandoned; that they speak 
the English language almost entirely, and that they have adopted 
the manners and dress of the whites. 

With respect to their present economic condition, the investigation 
shows that these thrifty and steady workers are now self-sustaining — 
more by outside labor on farms, in lumber camps, railroad construc- 
tion, etc., than by farming the small amount of their available agri- 
cultural land. Also they are well clothed and are not in need of any 
assistance for the winter. They send their children of school age to 
the public school within their village, and the majority of them are 
members of the Presbyterian Church located in their midst. 

These Indians are subject entirely to the laws of the State and 
county wherein they reside; they use very little intoxicating liquor, 
and are reported as being peacable and law abiding. 

About a third of their land, which is held in common, is said to be 
timbered; 35 per cent is of fair agricultural character, and the 
remainder of the land is sandy and not fitted for farming. 

Their one-story houses, of their own construction, contain two or 
three rooms, and are fairly comfortable; they raise a small amount 
of stock, poultry, etc., and cut such timber from their lands as is 
absolutely needed for building and fuel purposes. 

As shown, these Indians derive their greatest revenue from outside 
lumber industries, and as the supply of timber in that region is 
rapidly decreasing they must in the near future seek other means of 
supjDort. 

Commissioner Loker reports that while they say they have no 
claim against the Government, their needs are: (1) More land to 
cultivate, and (2) a school with manual-training instruction. He 
adds that if these Indians had about 5,000 acres of land they would 
be able to compete successfully with their white neighbors in farming 
and stock raising, and would be able to take cars of themselves in 
the future. 

A copy of the letter of instructions to Commissioner Loker and of 
his report are inclosed. 

Very respectfull}'^, R. A. Ballinger, 

Secretary. 

The Speaker of the House of Representatives. 



M 11 I311 



21 ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 3 

^5 Department of the Interior, 

^ — >, Office of Indian Affairs, 

, ■^- Washington, October 26, 1910. 

* Sir: Referring to your recent appointment as commissioner to the Alabama IndiaiLs 
S in Texas, under the provisions of section 6 of the Indian appropriation act approved 
^ApriH, 1910 (36 Stat. L., 269, 274), which reads as follows, "* * * and the Secretary 
^ of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed to investigate the conditions of the 
S Alabama Indians in Texas and to submit his report thereon to Congress at the next 
session," you are hereby directed to proceed to Livingston, the county seat of Polk 
("ounty, Tex., and such other places as may be necessary, to investigate fully the 
condition and needs of the Indians mentioned. 

For your information there is transmitted herewith a memorandum and a copy of 
office letter of April 3, 1896, setting forth the full history of these Indians so far as 
known to the office. 

In 1890 these Indians were reported in the Federal census as being located on Big 
Sandy Creek, Polk County, upon a tract of 1,280 acres given them by the State of 
Texas. They were said also to be civilized and self-supporting; to have a chief and 
subordinate chiefs; to maintain to a great degree their Indian habits in dress and 
manners; and to cultivate lands like their white neighbors, for whom they worked on 
occasion. 

By referring to the copy of office letter of April 3, 1896, it will be seen that the 
position then taken was in effect that these Indians had never held or possessed lands 
in their own right, or held any treaty relations with the Government, and that they 
had no claim upon the United States; also that the legislation then proposed in their 
behalf by which they were to be given 25,000 acres of land to be located on the public 
domain was reported upon adversely. 

Most if not all of these Indians are located in Polk County, and by going to Living- 
ston you will be able to ascertain their exact location and also to acquaint yourself with 
the views of the local authorities regarding them. You will thus be better able to 
form some definite plan to be carried tout by you in visiting personally the IndiariB 
at their homes and in forming an estimate yourself as to their present needs and 
conditions. 

P"or the purpose of convenience the essential points to be reported upon by you are: 

1. The population, including the number of children of school age. 

2. The present condition of the Indians as regards subsistence and self-support. 

3. Their condition as to clothing and their absolute needs for the winter. 

4. What schools, if any, are available, and what is the disposition of the Indians 
toward sending their children to such schools? 

5. The actual condition of the lands occupied by them, and whether they are 
exercising reasonable diligence in their farming operations; how they compare with 
their white neighbors in this respect; and what their needs are as regards additional 
lands for homes and farms. 

6. The views of the leading Indians as to their needs, etc. 

Your report should cover the points indicated and such others as you may after 
investigation deem proper to submit, to the end that the office may have all the data 
possible before it upon which to base the required report to Congress at the beginning 
of its next session. 

This work, of course, should be expedited as much as possible, consistent with 
thoroughness and accuracy. 

Should any points arise not covered by the foregoing instructions upon which you 
desire further information, etc., you should submit them promptly in order that the 
office may advise you concerning the same. 

Very respectfully, F. H. Abbott, 

Assistant Commissioner. 
William Loker, Esq., 

Commissioner for the Alabama Indians in Texas, 

(Care of E. P. Holcombe, Chief Super\dsor, Denver, Colo.) 



4 ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 

Report of William Loker, Commissioner, etc., December 6, 1910. 

Roll of Alabama Indians rending in the State of Texcs. 
[Post office, Kiam, Polk County, Tex. Trading point, Livingston, Tex.] 



Willie Bullock.... 
Gala vay Bullock. 

lazzie Bullock 

Eva Bullock 



Thomas Anton. 
Birdie Anton... 
Mary Anton 



George Battist. . 
Sissie Battist.. . 
Tenney Battist. 
Laura Battist.. 
John Battist 



Gustin Battist. 

Liza Battist 

Durant Battist. 
Jesse Battist. . . 
Asom Battist. . 
Miller Battist.. 
Nellie Battist.. 
Nela Battist.... 
Baker Battist.. 



McConico Battist. 

Mabel Battist 

Inie Battist 

Fulton Battist 



Billie K. Battist. 
Bettie Battist.... 
Sarah Battist. . . . 
Andre v Battist.. 

Lizzie Battist 

Fred Battist 

Alfred Battist... 



Jefferson Battist. 

Lizzie Battist 

Ashley Battist. . . 
Hollis Battist.... 



Isaac Battist... 
I'annie Battist. 
Henry Battist.. 
James Battist.. 
Tom Battist... 
Ed Battist 



Josephine Battist. 
Bula Henderson '. 



Pedigo Carson. 
Sadie Carson.. 
Alice Carson. . 
Nicie Carson . . 
Caleb Carson.. 
Joshua Carson. 



Charles Fitze. 



Dennis Henderson . 
Minnie Henderson. 
Hattie Henderson.. 



Silesia Henry ' 
Mary Henry . . 
James Henry. 
Harry Henry. 



Sam Lockhard 

Hubbert Lockhard. 



Male . . . 
....do.. 
Female. 
....do.. 



Male 

Female. 
....do.. 



Male. . . 
Female. 
Male. . . 
Female. 
Male. .. 



....do.. 
Female. 
Male . . . 
....do.. 
....do.. 
...do.. 
Female. 
....do.. 
Male. .. 



....do.. 
Female. 
....do.. 

Male. . . 



....do.. 
Female. 
....do.. 
Male... 
Female. 
Male . . . 
....do.. 



....do.. 
Female. 
Male... 
....do.. 



....do.. 
Female. 

Male 

do.. 

....do.. 
....do.. 



Female. 
do.. 



Male 

Female. 

do.. 

do.. 

Male 

do.. 



.do. 



do.. 

Female. 
do.. 



do. 

do. 

Male.. 
do. 



Relation. 



Single 

Head 

A ife 

Daughter. 

"vVidower. . 
Daughter. 
....do 



Head 

\ ife 

Son 

Daughter. 
Son 



Head 

. ife 

Son 

do 

do 

do 

Daughter. 

do 

Son 



Head 

\ ife 

Daughter. 
Son 



Head 

\ ife 

Daughter. 

Son 

Daughter. 

Son 

do..... 



Head.. 
Wife.. 
Son... 
do. 



.do Widower. 

.do Son 



Head.. 
Wife... 
Son.... 

do. 

do. 

do. 



Widow 

Granddaughter. 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter. 

do 

Son 

do..... 



Single. 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter. 



Wife 

Daughter. 

Son 

do 



1 Months. 



3 Orphan. 



* Husband is not Alabama Indian. 



ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 



liEPORT OF William Loker, Commissioner, etc., December (i, 1910— Continued. 
Roll of Alabama Indians residing in the State of Texas — Continued. 



No. 


Names. 


Sex. 


Relation. 


Age. 


61 


Cassie Joe 


Male 




Years. 

72 


H2 


Venie Thomas > 




Granddaughter 




(W 


David Uilliamsi 


Male.... 




ti4 


Liza Williams ' 




Granddaughter 

do 




Co 


Minnie W illiams' 

Claud Williams > 

Lindsey Ponclio 

Sallie I'oncho 

IJavid Poncho 

Sarah Poncho 

Mason Poncho 

Josie Sylestine 

Dollie Sylestine 

Hastings Sylestine 

Hardin Svlestine 

Xoney Sylestine 

Emma Svlestine 

Klizabeth Sylestine 

Charlie Thompson 


do 


7 


W 


Male 


Grandson 


5 


(17 


do 


Head 


44 


<i8 


Female 


Wife.. 


37 


m 


Male 


Son 


8 


70 


Female 




4 


71 


Male 


Son 


26 


72 


Female 




60 


73 


do 




27 


74 


Male 


Son. 


21 


7.5 


do 


Head 


27 


7t> 


Female 


Wife 


26 


77 


do 


Daughter 


5 


78 


do 


do 


1 


79 


Male 


Head 


48 


SO 


Josie Thompson 


Female 


Wife 


43 


XI 


Philip Thompson 


Male 


Son 


5 


82 


Oscar Baltist ■> 


do 


.do 


13 


KS 


Bob Thompson 


do 




75 


84 


Fannie Thompson 


Female. 




26 


8.1 


Nona Thompson 


do 




11 


8(1 


Joe Alexander 


Male 


Head 


27 


87 


Liila Ale.xander 


Female 


Wife 


26 


88 




Male.. 


Son 


2 


8<) 


.Sam Thompson 


. ...do 


Head 


28 


90 


Annie Thompson 




Wife 


26 


91 




do . .. 




4 


92 


John H. Thompson 


Male 


Head 


32 


93 


Margaret Thompson 


Female 


Wife 


21 


94 


Ettie Thompson 


do 




4 


95 


Hill Thompson. 


Male 


Son 


22 


9ti 


Sissic .Vlcxander. . . . .. 


Female . . 




60 


97 


Ed Alexander ' 


Male 


Nephew 


19 


9S 


John .Vlexander ' 


do 


.do 


16 


99 


Sissie S vlest ine 


Female 


Widow 

Daughter 


56 


KM) 


Delia Sylestine. . 


do 


15 


101 


LucvHean.. 


. .do 


Widow 


35 


!()■> 


Aaron Bean. 


Male 


Son 


19 


10.3 




.do 


Head 


32 


104 


.Mosina Svlestine 


Female 


Wife 


26 


1 (),'> 




.do 


Daughter 


4 


lOti 


Martha Svlestine . . 


do 


do 


2 


107 




Male 


Head 

Wife 


60 


108 






61 


109 




do 


Daughter 


33 


IHI 




Male 


Son 


29 


111 




Female 


Daughter 


26 


IT' 




Male 


Son 


13 


113 


PoUie Poncho 


Female 


Widow 

Daughter 


58 


114 




do 


26 


IKi 




Male 


Son 


23 


no 




do 


do 


36 


117 




Female 


Daughter 

Widower 


1 


118 




Male 


55 


119 




do 


Son 

do 


23 


1''0 


Ilollis Svlestine 


do 


16 


121 


Nannie Sylestine 


Female 


Daughter 


13 



Orphan. 



2 Months. 



3 Son of No. 80 by first husband, a full-blood Alabama. 



6 



ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 



Report of William Loker, Commissioner, etc., December 6, 1910 — Continued. 
Roll of Alabama Indians residing in the State of Texas — Continued. 



No 



Names. 



Relation. 



122 
123 
124 
125 

126 
127 
128 
129 

130 
131 
132 
133 
134 

135 
136 

137 
138 
139 
140 
141 
142 
143 

144 
145 
146 
147 

148 

149 
150 
151 
152 
153 
154 

155 
156 
157 

158 
159 

160 
161 

162 
163 

164 
165 
166 

167 
168 
169 
170 
171 
172 

173 
174 



Jennie Sylestine.. 
Elvina Sylestine. 
Susie Sylestine... 
Callie Sylestine... 



Jesse Poncho 

Maggie Poncho.. . 
Dorothy Poncho. 
Emma "Poncho 2.. 



Gibson Sylestine 3. 

John Sylestine 

Virginia Sylestine. 
Feagan Sylestine C 
Carter Sylestine*.. 



Frank Sylestine. . . 
Frances Sylestine. 



Davis Sylestine 

Edna Sylestine * 

Mattie Sylestine * 

Clenson Sylestine^ . . . 
Gotherine Sylestine*. 

Benton Sylestine' 

Amos Sylestine' 



Tom Scott... 
Dollie Scott.. 
Fanny Scott. 
Falony Scott. 
Folby Scott.. 



Bill T. Scott. 
Lucy Scott... 

May Scott 

Eunice Scott. 
Sarah Scott. . 
Enby Scott.. 



Dennis Williams. 
Jennie Williams.. 
Legget Williams. 



Epperson Williams. 
John Poncho 



John Scott Scott '. 
John Scott 



Maggie Jane Sampson. 
John Sampson 



James Poncho.. 
MoUie Poncho.. 
Mattie Poncho. 



Female Daughter . 

do 1 do 

do \ do 

do do 



Male I Head 

Female I Wife 

do I Daughter. 

do Widow 



Male I Widower. 



do.. 

Female. 

Male 

do.. 



do.. 

Female. 



Male 

Female. 

do.. 

Male 

Female. 

Male 

....do.. 



....do.. 
Female. 
....do.. 
....do.. 
....do.. 



Male 

Female. 
....do.. 
....do.. 
....do.. 
....do.. 



Male... 
Female. 
Male 



.do. 
.do. 



.do. 
.do. 



Female . 
Male 



....do.. 
Female. 
....do.. 



Tom Johnson ' Male 

Li '.zie Johnson i Female. 

Ida Johnson i do.. 

Emma Johnson do.. 

Lillie Johnson do.. 

James Johnson Male 



Louise Tnoids.. 
Everest Tnoids. 



175 Palmer Carson do. 

176 Fanny Carson Female. 

177 I Lucy Carson j do.. 



Female. 
Male 



Son 

Daughter . 
Grandson . 
do 



Head. 
Wife. 



Head 

Daughter . 

Son...'.'.'." 
Daughter . 

Son 

do 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter. 

'.'.'.'.do'.'.'.'.'. 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter. 

.'.'.'.'.do'.'.'.'.'. 
do 



Head. 
Wife. 
Son... 



Single. 
do. 



Widower. 
Son 



Widow. 
Son 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter. 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter . 

....do 

....do 

Son 



Widow. 
Son.... 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter. 



' Months. 

^Mother of No. 126. 

3 No. 130 is the leading man of this village and about the only one capable of giving early history of these 
Indians, but he was too ill to be interviewed. Was under care of Dr. Martin, of Knoxmill. 

■* Orphans. 

' These children all by first wife; present wife is Caddo Indian. 

6 No. 160 is chief of tribe; is very feeble and quite childish; lives with son 10 miles northeast of village. 

' This family lives about 10 miles north of village on account of head's employment in lumber mill; have 
a home within the village. 



ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 7 

Report of William Loker, Commissioner, etc., December 6, 1910 — Continued. 
Roll of Alabama Indians residing in the State of Texas — Continued. 



No. 



178 
179 
180 
181 
182 



Names. 



Carrie Walker. 
Ida Walker.. . 
Lee Walker... 
Josh Walker.. 
Elma Walker. 



Male 

Female. 

do.. 

Male 

do.. 



183 ' Willis Thompson 

184 ; Josie Thompson 

185 Mary Thompson 

186 Thomas Thompson 

187 I McLane Thompson 

188 j Jennie Pere > Female. 

189 1 Sam David Male. 

190 I Mary David Female. 

191 ' Jack David ' Male... 

192 ! Floyd David j do. 



Sex. 



Female . 
....do... 

Male 

....do.. 
Female. 



Relation. 



Widow 

Daughter. 

Son 

....do 

Daughter . 



Head 

Wife 

Daughter. 

Son 

do 



Single 

Widower.. 
Daughter. 

Son 

do 



Years. 

32 

13 

9 

6 

2 

47 
32 
12 



1 No. 188 is living with this family; is a sister-in-law of No. 189 and came from Louisiana to care for chil- 
dren; No. 189 is seldom at home, being employed at Knox Lumber Co.'s mUl about 10 miles from village. 

1. Population. — The population, including the number of children of school age, 
is 192 individuals, 51 of school age (7 to 17 years inclusive). 

2. Self -sup-port. — As regards the present condition of the Indians, they are not 
prosperous. They are a farming people, but have not sufficient land to produce a 
living foi all. They are thrifty and sturdy workers. They seek employment in the 
lumber industries and the railroad work, and assist the white farmers, which, with 
their own farming, makes they absolutely self-sustaining. 

.3. Clothinq. — They are well clothed and have no immediate needs for the winter. 

4. Available schools. — Thev Lave uy)on their own propertv about the center of their 
village "The Public Free School of District No. 17 of Polk County, Tex." This 
public school is supported by the county. The instructor, Mrs. C. W. Chambers, is 
a very capable woman, and the course of instruction is the .same as all the county 
public schools, embracing agriculture, algebra, arithmetic, composition, drawing, 
geography, grammar, hi'-tory (United States and Texas), language lessons, nature 
study, physiology, reading, spvlling, writing, and sewing. The instructor's report 
to the county superintendent shows an enrollment of 47 children and a more than 
average regular attendance. The Indian parents are strict in compelling attendance 
of children. 

5. Use of land. — The Indians have 1,280 acres, about 30 per cent of which is timber. 
They are cutting only what they require for construction and fuel. About 35 per cent 
is only sand and incapable of cultivation. The balance is cultivated. They raise 
cotton, sugar cane, potatoes, and garden truck, and a little corn, although this is not 
a corn country. They raise ponies, goats, chickens, hogs, and a few cattle. They 
are doing just as well," all things considered, as the white men of this part of Texas. 
If they had about 5,000 aQres of land these Indians would successfully farm and raise 
stock in competition with the white people. 

6. Vietcs of Indians as to their needs. — All of these Indians state that their needs are 
first, more land to cultivate; second, a school with manual training instruction. They 
advise that they require nothing else, and they are in this borne out by statements of 
the white people. 

SUMMARY, 

The Alabama Indians residing within the State of Texas number 192 individuals. 
They are located 17 miles east of Livingston, in Polk County, Tex,, upon a tract of 
land 1,280 acres in extent, deeded to them by the State of Texas, free of taxes, but 
which they can not dispose of, about 60 vears ago. 

These Indians have abandoned all their old customs. In fact they have preserved 
no history of their people. They use only English names and almost uniyersally 
speak English. Their manners and dress are as the white people and they live just 
as their white neighbors. 



8 ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS. 

They farm all of their land that is capable of cultivation, but obtain their living 
more by working in the lumber industries, upon the railroad construction and section 
work, and hii'ing out to the white farmers. They are thrifty people and steady 
workers. 

They have a public school within the village and take full advantage of same; also 
they have a Presbyterian Church supported by the "Ea.=t Texas Presbytery," and the 
rector's roster shows the great majority faithful members. Their land is not divided, 
but they farm for the benefit of all. They are of course subject to the State and 
county laws, but any disputes within the village are settled by their church com- 
mittee, and I am told that there is seldom a necessity for action. There is no instance 
of th(! civil authorities having been called upon. They are an absolutely civilized 
and peaceful people and appear to use every means to advance themselves. I am 
told some of the younger men that go out to the mills to work have used whisky to 
excess, but strong drink is not a habit among these Indians. They are living in a 
prohibition country, but am told that even before the county had prohibition these 
Indians spent very little for liquor. 

They live in homes of their own construction and as good as fheir state of prosperity 
could command. These homes are one story, but of two and three rooms, and they 
are comparatively comfortable. They raise for their own purposes chickens, hogs, 
goats, cattle, and ponies — only a small number, but all they can care for. 

They dress as well, if not better, than the class of white people they have for neigh- 
bors. In particular, I noted the young girls at church. All wore hats and gowns of 
store make. 

Were it poar.ible to assist these Indians toward getting more land and manual train- 
ing, it is verv certain they would take full ad\-antage of the benefits. 

These Indians advance no reasons A^hy the Government should give them any- 
thing. They do not pretend to have a claim of any sort against the Government, but 
for some years have understood that Congressman Cooper and others had asked assist- 
ance for them and have hoped the Government would increase their land holdings. 
They are stronglv inclined to agriculture, and thev believe, as do the white people, 
that with sufficient land they would be successful farmers and a prosperous ])eople. 
They are not in prosperous circumstances, but neither are they in want. They are 
sturdy workers, and as long as the present lumber industries continue they will con- 
tinue to make a living. It is in the lum^ber industry that they obtain the greatest 
part of their revenue. The timber is verv rapidly being cut, and when this industry 
ceases they must seek other means of subsistence. It is their hope and that of all 
the white people that knovr anything of them that the Government will assist them 
to the extent of giving them more land, which would care for their future. The health 
condit ions are better than those of the white people. This mav be due perhaps to the 
fact t!';.' rnost of the white people have located in this part of Texas of late years and 
the climate is tryine. Still these Indians k^ad regular industrious lives and take the 
best care of themselves. In sickness they call in the white physicians. 

From all information I am able to obtain, advise that there are no other Alabama 
Indians in Polk County, Tex. There are a few Caddo Indians, not more tlian a 
dozen, and most of them are intermarried with these Alabama Indians. Also there 
are sime of the Kickapoo Indians in Polk County. I am told that they are of low 
degree, have intermarried with the Negroes and are placed in the same class with the 
Negro. The only other Alabama Indians can learn of are about 100 located in 
Louisiana. These have been asked to locate here in Texas, but always have (Inclined 
to consider the proposition. Occasionally a party of Alabamas from Louisiana visit 
these Texas Alabamas, and while it is admitted they are all of the same tribe the 
Louisianas do not in the least compare with the Texas Alabamas in point of civiliza- 
tion a id advancement. There is now practiciUj' no cammunication between the 
Texas and Louisiana Alabamas. 

It can be said without fear of contradiction that the Alabama Indians residing in 
Texas are absolutely civilized, have availed themselves of every means of advancing 
themselves; that they would' appreciate and profit by Government assistance, and 
are in every way deserving of any assistance the Government might give them. 

REFERENCES AND AUTHORITIES. 

For assistance and information rendered, which was of much helj) in investigating 
conditions, I am indebted to these persons particularly. 

Mr-. M. V. Curri'^, Kiam, Polk ( o' ntv, Tex. Mrs. Currie is the widow of a Presby- 
terian minister, and with her son is living among these Indians. Mr. and Mr.-. Currie 
spent 25 years in m.i^pion work among different Indians. Five years they spent with 
the Creeks, 4 vears with the Alaska Indians, and 16 years with this tribe of Alabama 



RD 1 2.8 

ii\A n 



ALABAMA INDIAN'S IN TEXAS. 9 

Indians. During a period of 10 years Mr. Currie was rector of the Indian church, and 
Mrs. Currie was the instructor of the Indian school. It was through Mr. Currie's 
influence that the East Texas Presbytery established their church for the Indians. 

Mrs. Currie is considered their best friend and the greatest worker and authority 
by both the Indians and -white people. She expresses the opinion that these Alabama 
Indians are the best she has met with in all her work. Advises that when she first 
located among them they observed all Indian customs, held their various dances, 
used their own language, dressed in buckskin clothing of their own make, and did 
work only sufficiently to obtain a poor living, and spent the great part of time hunting. 
She considers their advancement very remarkable. She now considers them in every 
way the equal of the whites and in a degree their superior. 

Mr. and Mrs. Caleb W. Chambers, Kiam, Polk County, Tex. Mr. Chambers is 
present rector of the Indian church and Mrs. Chambers is the instructor of the Indian 
school. They are now in the eleventh year of service among these Indians, and like 
Mrs. Currie, are very enthusiastic in speaking of the remarkable advancement of 
these Indians. Mr. Chambers knows something of agriculture and has been of much 
assistance in this work with the Indians. He also assists in the school. Mrs. Cham- 
bers is a very energetic and capable woman, and besides being a very successful 
instructor has taught the Indians much in the way of domestic duties. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Chambers are held in the highest esteem by these Indians. 

Mr. Davis Sylestine, Kiam, Polk County, Tex. Mr. Sylestine is a full-blood 
Alabama Indian and was born and rai'^ed in this "\dllage. He speaks English fluently 
and is a capable man. He has attained of his own efforts the responsible position of 
"saw filer" in Knox Lumber Mill and is looked upon as among the most trustworthy 
of the employees. He is a trustee of the church, clerk of the village, and is looked 
upon as the leader of the younger element of the village. 

Capt. Evans, "postmaster," Livingston, Polk County, Tex. Capt. Evans is the 
oldest resident, having been in this part of Texas for 40 years, and has known these 
Indians all of that time. He advises that their advancement has been remarkable 
and gives them a very high reputation for industry, honesty, and says they have 
always been peaceable and excellent neighbors. 

Mr. Nute Green, Livingston, Polk County, Tex. Mr. Green is connected with 
M. Stone Co., general merchants, of Livingston. He has been engaged in this line 
for 25 years in Livingston, and has always been in close touch with these Alabama 
Indians. He gives them the highest reputation for honesty, sobriety, and industry, 
and advispa tiat they have always been peaceful and the best kind of neighbors. 

William Lokeb 

o 

H. Doc. 1232, 61-3 2 



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